Karen M.N. Austin
Karen M.N. Austin (née Niedermeyer), loving sister, wife, mother of three and grandmother of four, passed away Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. She was 68 years old.
Karen grew up in Euclid, the second of Julius and Eleanor Niedermeyer’s three children.
After graduating from high school and college, Karen embarked on a career as a Certified Public Accountant. She met her husband, James Austin, in 1976 and they were married in 1979. After welcoming their three children — Timothy, Alexandra and Ben — they built a small family accounting practice in Chester Township.
Karen was a friendly face about town, sharing stories with friends over lunch at the local diner. Owing to her standing in the community, Karen was elected and served for two terms as Chester Township fiscal officer, from 2005-2013.
Family was the most important aspect of Karen’s life. She never missed a school or sporting event. Her favorite pastime was spending summers with her family on their boat on the shores of Lake Erie. Karen enthusiastically joined her family, swimming at Kelley’s Island, watching her children wakeboard or tube behind the boat and making sure everyone was tucked in after a long day. Even late in life, the lake was where Karen went to relax and let the weight of the world wash away.
Karen could not have been more excited to meet her grandchildren, Bryce, Kensington, Brooks and Saylor. The grandkids quickly learned that ‘grandma Karen’ reliably delivered the cake of their choosing for their birthday celebration (much the same as she had done for her own children). Superman, Cocomellon, Paw Patrol and dinosaurs were all favorites.
Karen is survived by her husband, James; three children, Ben, Alexandra and Timothy (Arianna); brothers, Carl and Paul (Sandy) Niedermeyer; and four grandchildren, Bryce, Kensington, Brooks and Saylor Austin.
The family is welcoming visitors at Gattozzi & Son Funeral Home, 12524 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday Feb. 1, 2024.
The funeral service will also be held at Gattozzi & Son at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 2, with internment at Chester Township Cemetery to follow.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gattozziandson.com for the Austin family.
